Chinese Startup Accused of Copying SpaceX’s “Chopstick” System Secures Funding 

Cosmoleap, a Chinese rocket startup, has raised more than 100 million yuan (approx. $14 million) in funding as it looks to develop a reusable rocket and recovery system that has been accused of copying SpaceX’s Starship.

The Yueqian reusable rocket and recovery system has a very similar setup to that that caught the Super Heavy Booster using the launch tower, the “chopstick” manoeuvre that gained so much attention.

Cosmoleap’s trading name is Beijing Dahang Transition Technology Company and it has only started operating this year. In spite of this, the Starship inspired design and the company’s plans have gained the admiration of investors and many VC firms contributed to the funding round that gained 100 million yuan for the new company.

Cosmoleap’s target is not Mars, like SpaceX’s. At the moment, their focus is supporting satellite internet constructions – which also has a number of parallels with the Starlink system.

The company claims it will perform its first “Yueqian” (meaning “Leap”) flight test in 2025 or 2026. They released animated footage showing the design, similar to the SpaceX Super Heavy. This was met with some criticism online due to similarities with the SpaceX technology.

A Huge Rocket to Be Built by Cosmoleap

Yueqian itself will be significantly smaller than Starship, and the plans are for it to be around 246 ft tall. Starship is 397 ft tall. Yuqian will be able to carry a payload of 23,060 lbs (10,460 kg) to low Earth orbit, a number that will reduce to 13,845 lbs (6,280 kg) when the first stage is recovered.

Cosmoleap is actually planning a larger rocket than Starship too, and wants to also gain the title of having the world’s largest rocket. They wish to make a model that is 413 feet tall and capable of carrying 100 tons to LEO.

China’s space industry is definitely growing, and while some people may be sceptical of such a new company with such grand plans, the Chinese space sector also has many recent success stories. Cosmoleap will be hoping to join the ranks.